(Quebec) The Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette, is open to regulating the time that a merchant will have to repair defective goods within the framework of Bill 29 on planned obsolescence.
This is one of the requests from the Consumers’ Union which was heard on Tuesday morning as part of the consultations on the bill. The group requests that the maximum time for repair be set at 25 days. “When a good that is usually used on a daily basis needs to be repaired, consumers want to be able to recover a functional good quickly,” we can read in their brief submitted to the National Assembly.
“We are proposing that it be provided that the trader or manufacturer must carry out the repair within 25 days following the repair request,” explained the consumer protection and commercial practices analyst at the Union des consommateurs, Anne- Marie Leblanc, during the consultations.
Currently, the bill only provides that a trader must inform the consumer of the proposed repair time within 10 days.
Minister Jolin-Barrette said he was open to the proposal. “There is a balance to be achieved also depending on the availability of parts and for the company which must repair it too,” however indicated the minister.
“Apple will, once again, laugh at us!” »
Liberal MP Marwah Rizqy wants the fines that could be imposed on companies that do not comply with the future law to be greater, otherwise they would not have a deterrent effect, according to her.
“I am not satisfied with the level of fines. […] If we want there to be a real effect, the fines must be truly dissuasive otherwise Apple will, once again, laugh at us! » launched the MP.
With Bill 29, Quebec wants to protect Quebec consumers against goods that break down too quickly and put an end to planned obsolescence.
The bill aims to create a guarantee of proper functioning, the duration of which will be determined. If adopted, merchants will have to make parts and repair services available for a good at a reasonable price and for a reasonable time. The goods must also be able to be repaired with common tools and without causing irreversible damage.
It will also be prohibited to sell a product whose obsolescence is planned. If in doubt, an individual should contact the Consumer Protection Office, which will have to determine whether a good has been deliberately designed so that its normal lifespan is reduced.
Also, no more different wires to recharge cell phones, tablets or other: Quebec will set up a standard for a universal charger compatible with all electronic devices sold in Quebec. The European Union has already adopted a similar law.